Volunteers needed to prepare Burtner House for 200th anniversary celebration
Some helping hands are needed to get a historic Harrison farmhouse ready for a big event later this year.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the completion of the Burtner House. A celebration is planned for Saturday, Sept. 18.
But before then, volunteers are being sought for a cleanup on Saturday , June 26, said Jeff Jones, president of the Burtner House Restoration Society.
Work will be done, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and lunch will be provided.
Jones said they are looking for people to do general cleanup work, including trimming weeds, cutting trees, burning brush and moving some furniture and wood. Volunteers should bring their own weedeaters, rakes and saws, he said.
Jones asked those interested in helping to call him at 724-205-8784.
The Burtner House, at 1650 Burtner Road just off Route 28’s Exit 15, was completed in July 1821. The society was formed in 1972, when it successfully lobbied to have Route 28 rerouted slightly so the house didn’t have to be torn down.
The house, built by farmer Philip Burtner, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation’s historic list in 1975.
The anniversary celebration, planned for noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 18, will be free to the public to attend, with donations appreciated.
It will include free birthday cake, house tours and music. A bluegrass band, The Lost Boys, and country-and-western bands are scheduled to play between 2 and 5:30 p.m. that day.
Food trucks will be present, and Jones said they are looking for more to participate.
“We’re hoping that folks come out and enjoy the celebration and get to see the house and just enjoy it,” Jones said.
It will be the only event taking place at the house this year. The annual Strawberry Festival, normally held on the third Saturday in June, was canceled last year and again this year because of the covid pandemic and a lack of volunteers, Jones said.
The harvest festival, held on the second Saturday in October, also was canceled last year because of covid. Jones said it will not be held this year, with the anniversary celebration taking its place.
Jones said they hope to have the strawberry and harvest festivals return in 2022.
Anyone interested in becoming a member of the society can contact Jones.
Brian C. Rittmeyer is a TribLive reporter covering news in New Kensington, Arnold and Plum. A Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, Brian has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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